If the British had not captured and held New York, it is in every way historically improbable that they could have made even a respectable struggle for 1 The lamented General d M. whose death in this expedition will always be remembered as one of the capital tragedies of the Revolution, was a resident of our county, and seme of the most important associations of the War of Independence cluster around the place where his heme st 1. It was on the spot new occupied by the residence of William Ogden Giles, at Kingsbridge- the identical spot where Fort Independence was built. About 1772 Montgomery, after several years of service as a captain in the British army, resigned his commission, purchased this land with considerable mere, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1773 lie married one of the aristos Kingsetentious building, a story ami 1 a half lis sister was the Viscountess of Ranen his will, made at Crown Point, he ' 1 give to my sister. Lady Ranelagh, • estate at Kingsbridge, near New adding that " my dear sister's large ivant all I can spare them." One of the l>S of this will was the Rev. John 'eta rd. also of Kingsbridge, whose fam2 its name to Tetard's Hill. Rev. Mr. was a chaplain in one of the regiments ig to the Canadian expedition.

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

the retention of the colonies, and, indeed, it is not likely that they would have persevered long in the attempt. In the very act of taking New York they all but annihilated the American nation at one blow, missing by a mere chance the capture of Washington's whole army; and thereafter for a dreary period the distinguishing phases of the War of Independence were complete British prestige and almost as complete American confusion, relieved only by masterly retreat, brilliant triumph in a few minor engagements, and heroic fortitude.